Advertising for a user device in a standby mode

ABSTRACT

A method includes making a determination at a user device to transition the user device to a standby mode. The method includes sending a message from the user device to a server of a service provider in response to the determination, where the service provider provides a service to the user device. The method includes receiving, in response to the message, a content stream at the user device. The method includes sending video content generated from the content stream to a display device while the user device is in the standby mode. The method also includes, in response to a time in the standby mode exceeding a threshold, transmitting a second message to the server from the user device. In response to the second message, receipt of the content stream ceases.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority from, and is a continuation of, U.S.patent application Ser. No. 14/561,517, filed on Dec. 5, 2014, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to providing advertising fora user device in a standby mode.

BACKGROUND

A user device may enter an idle state after passage of a period of timewithout receiving user input. When in the idle state, a display devicecoupled to the user device may be blank or may display content. Thecontent may be text, a pattern, one or more images, a video, orcombinations thereof, produced based on data retrieved from a memory ofthe user device. Alternately, the content may be content streamed to theuser device via a network (e.g., photographic images from a photographicimages web site).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a system forproviding advertising content via a network to a user device when theuser device transitions to a standby mode.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a method to provideadvertising content via a network to a user device when the user devicetransitions to a standby mode.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a second embodiment of a method to provideadvertising content via a network to a user device when the user devicetransitions to a standby mode.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a generalcomputer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An advertising stream provided by a service provider may be sent to auser device for display by a display device when the user devicetransitions from an active mode to a standby mode. Providing theadvertising stream may be a revenue source for the service provider. Forexample, the service provider may charge fees to advertisers whoseproducts, services, or messages are included in the advertising stream.The advertising stream may include targeted advertising, non-targetedadvertising, local advertising for a geographic area where the userdevice is located, or combinations thereof. Providing the advertisingstream may be event driven (e.g., when the user device transitions to astandby mode) and is not scheduled or dependent on available time slots.The advertising stream enables advertising to be associated with mediacontent to which the service provider cannot add advertising. Forexample, the service provider may not be able to add advertising topremium channels provided as part of a television service package. Theservice provider may be able to provide advertising associated with apremium channel should the user device receiving the premium channeltransition to a standby mode during receipt of content of the premiumchannel.

In an embodiment, a method includes making a determination, at a userdevice, to transition to a standby mode. The method includes sending amessage from the user device to a network device in response to thedetermination. The method includes receiving, in response to themessage, an advertising stream at the user device from the networkdevice. The method also includes processing the advertising stream atthe user device to generate advertising content and sending theadvertising content from the user device to a display device coupled toor included in the user device.

In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a processor and a memory coupledto the processor. The memory includes instructions executable by theprocessor to perform operations. The operations include making adetermination to transition to a standby mode, sending a message to anetwork device in response to the determination, receiving anadvertising stream from the network device in response to the message,processing the advertising stream to generate advertising content, andsending the advertising content to a display device coupled to theprocessor.

In an embodiment, a computer-readable device includes instructionsexecutable by a processor to perform operations. The operations includereceiving a standby message from a user device and sending anadvertising stream to the user device in response to the standbymessage.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular embodiment of a system 100 forproviding an advertising stream to a user device (e.g., one or more ofuser devices 102-110) associated with a user when the user device is ina standby mode. The advertising stream may be sent to the user device inresponse to a message sent from the user device to a network device 112.An advertising server 114 may be a source of the advertising stream. Thenetwork device 112 may be associated with a service provider thatprovides telephone service, data service, television service, otherservices, or combinations thereof to the user devices 102-110. Thenetwork device 112 may be a server, a digital subscriber linemultiplexer, a cable modem termination system, another type of networkdevice, or combinations thereof.

The user devices 102-110 may be devices that are capable ofcommunication with the network device 112 via a network 116 (e.g., theinternet, a private network, or combinations thereof), a mobilecommunication network 118, or both. The user devices 102-110 mayinclude, but are not limited to, one or more media devices 102 and oneor more coupled output devices (e.g., one or more sound systems, one ormore display devices 104, and combinations thereof), one or morecomputing systems 106, one or more portable computing devices 108 (e.g.,one or more laptop computers, tablet computers, computerized glasses,personal digital assistants, etc.), one or more mobile communicationdevices 110 (e.g., a mobile phone), other devices, or combinationsthereof. The number and type of user devices associated with aparticular user may vary. The media device 102 may be a set-top boxdevice, a game system, or another device able to send media content tooutput devices coupled to the media device 102 and able to communicatevia the network 116. The media device 102 may be an integral componentof a display device 104 or a separate component.

One or more of the user devices 102-110 may receive streaming mediacontent from the network 116 via customer premises equipment (CPE) 120.The CPE 120 may facilitate communications between the network 116 andeach media device 102 coupled to the CPE 120. The CPE 120 may alsofacilitate communications to and from the network 116 and one or moreuser devices (e.g., user devices 106-110) coupled by a wirelessconnection or a wired connection to a local area network (LAN) 122established by, or accessible to, the CPE 120. The CPE 120 may be anaccess point to the network 116. The CPE 120 may include a router, awireless router, a local area network device, a modem (e.g., a digitalsubscriber line modem or a cable modern), a residential gateway, anothercommunication device, or combinations thereof.

A user device of the user devices 102-110 (e.g., the portable computingdevice 108 or the mobile communication device 110) may be able toreceive the streaming media content via the mobile communication network118 and the network 116. The user device may utilize the mobilecommunications network 118 when the user device is not in communicationwith the network 116 via the CPE 120 or another network access point.

Each of the user devices 102-110 may include a processor and a memoryaccessible to the processor. A particular processor may executeinstructions stored in an associated memory to perform operations. Theoperations may include, but are not limited to, receiving a request forparticular media content; sending the media content to a display device;and communicating with the network device 112, the advertising server114, or both.

As an example, the media device 102 may include a processor 124. Theprocessor 124 may be coupled to a network interface 126, deviceinterfaces 128, and a memory 130. The network interface 126 may enablethe media device 102 to communicate with other devices via the CPE 120.The other devices may include, but are not limited to, devicesassociated with the network 116 (e.g., the advertising server 114, thenetwork device 112, one or more routers, digital subscriber line accessmultiplexers (DSLAMs), broadband remote access servers, a cable networkvideo head end, etc.), and devices associated with the LAN 122 (e.g.,the computing system 106 and the portable computing device 108).

The device interfaces 128 may enable wired or wireless connections ofcomponents and selected devices to the media device 102. The componentsmay include, but are not limited to, the display device 104, a soundsystem, a camera system, a motion detector, another type of device, orcombinations thereof.

The memory 130 may store data, such as settings and stored mediacontent. The settings may include values for various options associatedwith the media device 102 (e.g., threshold values for times before themedia device 102 transitions to a standby mode). Some or all of thevalues may be accessed and changed via one or more configurationinterfaces. The memory 130 may include a buffer 132. The buffer 132 mayprovide temporary storage for processed media content that is to be sentto one or more output devices (e.g., the display device 104). The buffer132 may be used to inhibit underflow of media content streamed to themedia device 102 that would disrupt playback of the media content. Themedia content may be retrieved from the memory 130 of the media device102 or may be retrieved or streamed from a content source via the LAN122 or via the networks 116, 118. The memory 130 may also includeinstructions 134 executable by the processor 124. The instructions 134may be executable by the processor 124 to receive a request for mediacontent (e.g., a channel change request from a remote control device136), process the media content to produce an output, and send theoutput to one or more output devices (e.g., the display device 104).

In a particular embodiment, a user device of the user devices 102-110may determine to transition to a standby mode. In the description below,an exemplary embodiment is described in which the user device is themedia device 102. In other embodiments, the user device may be thecomputing system 106, the portable computing device 108, the mobilecommunication device 110, or another device.

The media device 102 may determine to transition to the standby modebased on passage of a threshold amount of time without the media device102 receiving user input, based on actuation of a switch of the mediadevice 102, or both. For example, actuation of an on/off switch of themedia device 102 when the media device 102 is in an active mode maycause the media device 102 to transition to the standby mode. The mediadevice 102 may also transition to the standby mode after passage of athreshold amount of time when the media device 102 does not receive userinput via the remote control device 136 associated with the media device102 or another type of input device associated with the media device102. A value of the threshold amount of time may depend on one or moreactivities that the media device 102 is performing. For example, thevalue of the threshold amount of time may be large (e.g., 2 hours, 3hours, or another time value) when the media device 102 is sending mediacontent corresponding to television programming to the display device104. The value of the threshold amount of time may be smaller (e.g., 3minutes, 5 minutes, or another time value) when the media device 102 issending a menu, a web page, an information notice, or other content tothe display device 104.

When the media device 102 determines to transition to the standby mode,the media device 102 may send a message to the network device 112. Themessage may be a message that satisfies a particular standard, such as aSociety of Cable Telecommunication Engineers (SCTE) standard (i.e., aSCTE-30 message). The message may be a standby message. In someembodiments, the message may include a user profile or a portion of theuser profile retrieved from the memory 130, a location associated withthe media device 102, or both. The user profile may include dataassociated with the media device 102 that enables another device todetermine targeted advertising for the media device. The data mayinclude, but is not limited to, areas of interest of one or more usersassociated with the media device, prohibited advertising categories,history information of displayed programming associated with the mediadevice 102, history information of visited web pages, purchase historyassociated with media device 102, other information, or combinationsthereof. The location associated with the media device 102 may be usedto provide local advertising associated with a geographic region thatincludes the media device 102.

The network device 112 may receive the message from the media device102. The network device 112 may include a processor 138 and a memory 140coupled to the processor 138. The memory 140 may include instructions142 executable by the processor to perform operations. The operationsmay include receiving the message from the media device 102 and sendingan advertising request to the advertising server for advertising contentfor the media device 102. The operations may also include sending anadvertising stream received from the advertising server 114 in responseto the advertising request to the media device 102. In alternateembodiments, the advertising server 114 may send the advertising streamto the media device 102 instead of forwarding the advertising stream tothe media device 102 via the network device 112.

The media device 102 may receive the advertising stream in response tosending the message. The processor 124 may generate advertising contentfrom the advertising stream and store the advertising content in thebuffer 132. The processor 124 may send the advertising content from thebuffer 132 through the device interfaces 128 to one or more outputdevices (e.g., the display device 104). The advertising content may be abanner, may be a video advertisement, may include audio, may be fullscreen on the display device 104, may occupy only a portion of thedisplay device 104, may change positions on the display device 104, mayhave other display characteristics, or may include combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the advertising stream may be interactive. Forexample, a user of the media device 102 may enter user input via theremote control device 136. In response, the media device 102 may displayoptions, such as a first selectable option to interact with theadvertising content and a second selectable option to exit theadvertising content. When the user selects the first option, subsequentuser input may enable the user to obtain information about products orservices displayed by the advertising content or to purchase products orservices displayed by the advertising content (e.g., the user may selecta link displayed in the advertising content to access an e-commercewebsite of a particular advertiser). Also, a selectable exit option maybe displayed. Selection of the exit option may enable the user to exitan interactive mode associated with the advertising stream.

When the advertising stream is not interactive and the media device 102receives user input, or when the user selects the second option when theadvertising stream is interactive, the media device 102 may transitionto an active mode. In response to the user input, or selection of thesecond option, the media device 102 may send an active message to thenetwork device 112. The active message may include identificationinformation of a particular television channel that the media device 102was receiving when the media device 102 transitioned to the standbymode, so the media device 102 can return to the particular televisionchannel.

In response to the active message, the processor 138 of the networkdevice 112 may execute instructions 142 stored in the memory 140 to stopsending the advertising stream to the media device 102. When the activemessage includes the identification information of the particularchannel, the network device 112 may send content of the particularchannel to the media device 102.

In some embodiments, the media device 102 may send a stop message to thenetwork device 112 after passage of a period of time of receiving theadvertising stream without receiving user input. Alternately, thenetwork device 112 may stop sending the advertising stream to the mediadevice 102 after passage of a particular period of time. Stopping theadvertising stream may conserve network resources when a lack of userinput implies that nobody is paying attention to the advertisingcontent.

In some embodiments, a particular user device may determine whether thestandby message is to be sent to the network device 112 depending onwhat the particular user device is doing (e.g., a mode of the userdevice) when an event (e.g., a time out) that indicates transition tothe standby mode occurs. For example, the particular user device may bethe mobile communication device 110. After passage of a threshold timewithout receiving user input at the mobile communication device 110 whenthe mobile communication device 110 is not receiving a media contentstream via the mobile communication network 118 or the via the LAN 122,the mobile communication device 110 may blank the display device oractivate a screen saver program. After passage of the threshold timewithout receiving user input at the mobile communication device 110 whenthe mobile communication device 110 is receiving a media content streamvia the mobile communication network 118 or the via the LAN 122, themobile communication device 110 may send the standby message to thenetwork device 112. The network device 112 may respond to the standbymessage by sending the advertising stream to the mobile communicationdevice 110.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart of a particular embodiment of a method200 to provide advertising to a user device when the user device is in astandby mode is shown. The method may be performed by one or more of themedia devices 102-110 of FIG. 1.

The method 200 includes sending content to a display device coupled tothe user device, at 202. The content may be media content retrieved frommemory associated with the user device (i.e., media content recorded bythe user device or media content downloaded to the user device), aninformation screen or menu generated by the user device that presentsone or more selectable options to a user, content received via a networkfrom a network device (e.g., a web page), media content generated by theuser device from a media content stream received via the network fromthe network device, an image from the media content stream or the mediacontent when the media content stream or the media content is pausedduring playback, or combinations thereof. The media content stream maycorrespond to media-on-demand content, pay-per-view content, atelevision channel of a plurality of broadcast television channelscurrently being broadcast, or other media content streamed to the userdevice for playback. The display device may be an integral component ofthe user device, may be coupled to the user device by a physical dataconnection, or may by wirelessly coupled to the user device.

The user device may determine whether to transition to a standby mode,at 204. A determination to transition to the standby mode may be basedon occurrence of an event. The event may be activation of a switch ofthe user device. For example, the user of the user device may actuate anon/off switch of the user device. The user device may transition to thestandby mode when the on/off switch is actuated. The user device mayremain powered when the on/off switch is actuated so that the userdevice can provide background functionality (e.g., record a scheduledprogram).

The event may be a temporal event. For example, the user device may senda menu to the display device when playback of media content is stopped,or after reaching an end of playback of the media content, to enable theuser to select from one or more options what the user device should donext. The user device may perform operations associated with aparticular option when the user device receives user input selecting theparticular option. The user device makes a determination to transitionto the standby mode after passage of a threshold time without receivinguser input. The threshold time may be 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, ora different time period.

As another example of a temporal event used to determine whether totransition to the standby mode, the user device may store a time valuewhen most recent user input associated with media content to be sent, orbeing sent, to the display device was received via a remote controldevice. The most recent user input may be input that selected particularmedia content, volume control input, a record command, or another typeof command that does not result in the user device ceasing to send themedia content to the display device. The user device may compare adifference of a present time and the time value to a threshold timedifference. A value of the threshold time difference may depend on atype of the media content. For example, if the media content correspondsto a broadcast television channel, the value of the threshold timedifference may be large (e.g., 2.5 hours, 3 hours, 3.5 hours, or someother value) and if the media content corresponds to a webpage that isnot streaming requested media content to the user device, the value ofthe threshold time difference may be small (e.g., 2, minutes, 5 minutes,10 minutes, or some other value). When the difference satisfies thethreshold time difference (e.g., is equal to or greater than thethreshold time difference), the user device makes a determination totransition to the standby mode. When the difference does not satisfy thethreshold time difference, the user device may remain in an active modeand continue to send the media content to the display device.

As a further example of a temporal event used to determine whether totransition to the standby mode, the user device may receive a pausecommand during receipt of a media content stream. When the media contentstream corresponds to a television channel of a plurality televisionchannels currently being broadcast or pay-per-view content, the userdevice may record the media content stream up to a predetermined amountof time (e.g., 1 hour, 2 hours, or another amount of time). While themedia content stream is paused, the user device may compare thedifference of the present time and the time value associated with themost recent user input to a first threshold time difference (e.g., 2minutes, 3 minutes, 10 minutes, or some other time difference). When thedifference satisfies the first threshold time difference (e.g., is equalto or greater than the first threshold time difference), the user devicetransitions to the standby mode. Should the predetermined time bereached without display of the media content being resumed ortransmission of the media content stream ending, the user device maystop recording the media content stream and the user device may presentvia the display device a menu that displays options of what the userdevice should do next. For example, the menu may include an option tostore recorded content that was recorded while the media content waspaused and an option to delete the recorded content. The user device mayperform operations associated with a particular option when the userdevice receives user input selecting the particular option. The userdevice makes a determination to transition to the standby mode when theuser device does not receive user input after passage of a thresholdtime (e.g., 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, or a different time period)while the menu is displayed.

When the user device determines that it is not to transition to thestandby mode, at 204, the method 200 may return to 204 and determineagain whether to transition to the standby mode. When the user devicedetermines to transition to the standby mode, at 204, the user devicemay send a message to the network device, at 206. The message may be astandby message. The message may include data that facilitates thenetwork device providing targeted advertising to the user device. Thedata may identify the user device or a user associated with the userdevice. The network device may use the data to retrieve a user profilethat includes information (e.g., areas of interest, previous purchasehistory, frequently visited websites, etc.) usable to provide targetedadvertising to the user device. Alternately, the data may include a userprofile or user profile information associated with targetedadvertising.

In some embodiments, the user device may make an additionaldetermination after determining to transition to the standby mode, at204. The user device may determine whether to send the message to thenetwork device based on current activity or lack of current activity.For example, when the user device is computing system 106, the portablecomputing device 108, or the mobile communication device 110 of FIG. 1,the user device may send the message to the network device when the userdevice determines that the user device is receiving a media contentstream that is being processed and sent to the display device. The userdevice may not send the message to the network device when the userdevice determines that the user device is not receiving a media contentstream that is being processed and sent to the display device. Instead,the user device may cause the display device to display a blank screenor the user device may activate a screen saver program to send screensaver content to the display device.

In response to the message, the user device may receive an advertisingstream, at 208. The advertising stream may be received from the networkdevice or may be sent to the user device from the advertising server.The user device may process the advertising stream to produceadvertising content, at 210. The user device may send the advertisingcontent to the display device, at 212. The user device is in the standbymode when the user device sends the advertising content to the displaydevice.

The user device may determine when user input is received while the userdevice is in the standby mode, at 214. When user input is received, theuser device may transition from the standby mode to the active mode andthe user device may send a second message to the network device, at 216.The network device stops sending the advertising stream to the userdevice in response to the second message.

When the user device was receiving a media content stream correspondingto a particular television channel immediately preceding the transitionto the standby mode, the second message may include information thatidentifies the media content stream (or the particular televisionchannel). The user device may receive the media content stream (or othercontent of the particular television channel) from the network device inresponse to the second message. The user device may process the mediacontent stream to provide content and may send the content to thedisplay device. When the user device was not receiving the media contentstream, the media device may send a menu that presents selectableoptions for what the user device is to do next, and the method 200 mayend, at 218.

When user input was not received, at 214, the user device may determinewhether a time in the standby mode exceeds a standby threshold, at 220.The standby threshold may be 3 minutes, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30minutes, an hour, or another time value. When the time in the standbymode does not exceed the standby threshold, at 220, the method 200 mayreturn to 214 and determine again whether user input was received whenthe user device is in the standby mode.

When the time in the standby mode does exceed the standby threshold, at220, the user device may send a second message to the network device, at216. The network device may stop sending the advertising stream inresponse to the second message. The user device may send nothing to thedisplay device (e.g., a blank screen) or the user device may send animage to the display device (e.g., a moving logo or screensaver image).The user device may transition to an active mode when the media devicereceives user input (e.g., actuation of the on/off switch or userinput). The method 200 may end at 218.

Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart of a second particular embodiment of amethod 300 to provide advertising to a user device when the user deviceis in a standby mode is shown. The method may be performed by thenetwork device 112 of FIG. 1.

The method 300 includes receiving a standby message at the networkdevice from a user device, at 302. The standby message may be receivedfrom the user device when the user device transitions from an activemode to a standby mode. The standby message may include identificationof the user device, all or a portion of a user profile, location dataassociated with the media device, other content, or combinationsthereof. The network device may send an advertising stream request to anadvertising server in response to the standby message, at 304.

The advertising stream request may include user profile information thatenables targeted advertising, a location associated with the user devicethat enables local advertising, or both. The user profile informationmay include user profile information received with the standby message,a user profile or information from the user profile retrieved by thenetwork device based on user identification information from the standbymessage, information that enables the advertising server to retrieve theuser profile, or combinations thereof. The location may be data providedin the standby message, may be data retrieved by the network device, maybe data describing a location of the network device when the networkdevice is located near the network device, or may be combinationsthereof.

The network device may receive an advertising stream from theadvertising server in response to the advertising stream request, at306. The advertising stream may include targeted advertising,non-targeted advertising, local advertising associated with ageographical region that includes the user device, or combinationsthereof. The network device may send the advertising stream to the userdevice in response to the standby message, at 308.

In an embodiment, the network device may monitor an amount of time thatthe advertising stream is sent to the user device. When the amount oftime meets or exceeds a threshold time (e.g., 15 minutes, 30 minutes, anhour, or some other time), the network device may stop sending theadvertising stream to the user device. Alternately, the network devicemay receive a stop message from the user device after passage of aparticular amount of time. In response to the stop message, the networkdevice may cease sending the advertising stream to the user device.Stopping the advertising stream after a period of time after the passageof the particular amount of time or in response to the stop message maylimit system bandwidth usage.

The network device may receive an active message from the user device,at 310. The active message may indicate that the user device receiveduser input while the user device was in the standby mode. The networkdevice may determine whether the active message specifies a mediacontent stream, at 312. When the active message specifies the mediacontent stream at 312, the network device may stop the advertisingstream from being sent to the user device, at 314. The network devicemay stop the advertising stream by sending a stop message to theadvertising server and by ceasing to send the advertising stream to theuser device. The network device may also send the media stream to theuser device, at 316, and the method 300 may end at 318.

When the active message does not specify the media content stream at312, the network device may stop the advertising stream from being sentto the user device, at 320. The method 300 may end at 318.

Various embodiments disclosed herein describe providing an advertisingstream to a user device for display by a display device after the userdevice transitions from an active mode to a standby mode. Theadvertising stream may be provided by a service provider that providescommunication services, data services, television services, or otherservices to the user device. Providing the advertising stream may be arevenue source for the service provider. The advertising stream may beprovided to the user device when an event occur, and therefore, theadvertisements are not scheduled or dependent on available predeterminedtime slots. The advertising stream may include targeted advertising,non-targeted advertising, local advertising for a geographic area wherethe user device is located, or combinations thereof.

Referring to FIG. 4, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 400. The computer system 400 includesa set of instructions (e.g., the instructions 424 in the memory 404)that can be executed to cause the computer system 400 to perform any oneor more of the methods or computer based functions disclosed herein. Thecomputer system 400 may operate as a standalone device or may beconnected (e.g., using a network) to other computer systems orperipheral devices. For example, the computer system 400 may include ormay be included within any one or more of the media device 102, thedisplay device 104, the computing system 106, the portable computingdevice 108, the mobile communication device 110, the network device 112,the advertising server 114, or combinations thereof described withreference to FIG. 1.

In a networked deployment, the computer system 400 may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 400 may alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a mobiledevice, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, acommunications device, a wireless telephone, a personal computer (PC), atablet PC, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a set-top box (STB)device, a customer premises equipment device, an endpoint device, a webappliance, or any other machine capable of executing a set ofinstructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be takenby that machine. In a particular embodiment, the computer system 400 maybe implemented using electronic devices that provide video, audio, datacommunication, or combinations thereof. Further, while a single computersystem 400 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also be taken toinclude any collection of systems or sub-systems that individually orjointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructions to perform oneor more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the computer system 400 may include aprocessor 402 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both). For example, the processor 402 mayinclude or correspond to the processor 124 of the media device 102 orthe processor 138 of the network device 112 of FIG. 1. Moreover, thecomputer system 400 may include a main memory 404 and a static memory406, which can communicate with each other via a bus 408. For example,the main memory 404 may include or correspond to the memory 130 of themedia device 102 or the memory 140 of the network device 112 of FIG. 1.As shown, the computer system 400 may further include a video displayunit 410, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode(LED) display, a touch screen display, a flat panel display, a solidstate display, or a lamp assembly of a projection system. Additionally,the computer system 400 may include an input device 412, such as aremote control device (e.g., a television remote or a set-top boxremote), a keyboard, a joystick, another type of input device, orcombinations thereof. In addition, the computer system 400 may include acursor control device 414 (e.g., a mouse). In some embodiments, theinput device 412 and the cursor control device 414 may be integratedinto a single device, such as a capacitive touch screen input device.The computer system 400 may also include a drive unit 416, a signalgeneration device 418, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 420. Some computer systems 400 may not includean input device (e.g., a server may not include an input device).

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 4, the drive unit 416may include a computer-readable storage device 422 in whichauthentication information, identifiers, and one or more sets ofinstructions 424, e.g. software, can be embedded. The computer-readablestorage device 422 may be random access memory (RAM), read-only memory(ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM),electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), one or more registers, solid-statememory, one or more hard disks, one or more removable disks, compactdisc read-only memory (CD-ROM), other optical disk storage, magneticdisk storage, magnetic storage devices, or any other storage deviceusable to store program code in the form of instructions or data andthat can be accessed by a computer and/or a processor. Acomputer-readable storage device is not a signal.

Further, the instructions 424 may embody one or more of the methods orlogic as described herein. The instructions 424 may be executable by theprocessor 402 to perform one or more functions or methods describedherein, such as the methods 200 or 300 described with reference to FIG.2 or FIG. 3, respectively. In a particular embodiment, theauthentication information, identifiers, and instructions 424 may residecompletely, or at least partially, within the main memory 404, thestatic memory 406, and/or within the processor 402 during execution bythe computer system 400. The main memory 404 and the processor 402 alsomay include a computer-readable storage device. The authenticationinformation included in the authentication information, identifiers, andinstructions 424 in the drive unit 416, the main memory 404, the staticmemory 406, the processor 402, or combinations thereof may betransmitted to another computer system to enable authentication of thecomputer system 400, and the identifiers may include a list ofidentifiers used to authenticate the other computer system, prior tosharing a resource with the other computer system.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, may be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Various embodiments may include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).Accordingly, the present system encompasses software, firmware, andhardware implementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system, a processor, or a device, which mayinclude forms of instructions embodied as a state machine implementedwith logic components in an ASIC or a field programmable gate array(FPGA) device. Further, in an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment,implementations may include distributed processing, component/objectdistributed processing, and parallel processing. Alternatively, virtualcomputer system processing may be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods or functionality described herein. It is further notedthat a computing device, such as a processor, a controller, a statemachine or other suitable device for executing instructions to performoperations may perform such operations directly or indirectly by way ofone or more intermediate devices directed by the computing device.

The computer system 400 may communicate with one or more externalsystems via a network 426. First data stored by the computer-readablestorage device 422 may be sent to the one or more external systems viathe network 426. Also, second data may be received by the computersystem 400 via the network 426. The second data may be stored by theprocessor 424 to the computer-readable storage device. Additionally,while the computer-readable storage device 422 is shown to be a singledevice, the computer-readable storage device 422 may be a single deviceor may be multiple devices, such as a centralized or distributeddatabase, and/or associated caches and servers that store one or moresets of instructions. The computer-readable storage device 422 iscapable of storing a set of instructions for execution by the processor402 to cause the computer system 400 to perform any one or more of themethods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable storage device 422 may include a solid-state memorysuch as embedded memory (or a memory card or other package that housesone or more non-volatile read-only memories). Further, thecomputer-readable storage device 422 may include a random access memoryor other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally, thecomputer-readable storage device 422 may include a magneto-optical oroptical device, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more ofa computer-readable storage device and other equivalents and successordevices, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although the one or more components and functions may be describedherein as being implemented with reference to particular standards orprotocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards andprotocols. Such standards are from time-to-time superseded by faster ormore efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions.Wireless standards for short-range communications and long-rangecommunications can be used by the computer system 400 in selectedembodiments.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Figuresare also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale.Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded asillustrative rather than restrictive.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.

Less than all of the steps or functions described with respect to theexemplary processes or methods can also be performed in one or more ofthe exemplary embodiments. Further, the use of numerical terms todescribe a device, component, step or function, such as first, second,third, and so forth, is not intended to describe an order unlessexpressly stated. The use of the terms first, second, third and soforth, is generally to distinguish between devices, components, steps orfunctions unless expressly stated otherwise. Additionally, one or moredevices or components described with respect to the exemplaryembodiments can facilitate one or more functions, where the facilitating(e.g., facilitating access or facilitating establishing a connection)can include less than every step needed to perform the function or caninclude all of the steps needed to perform the function.

In one or more embodiments, a processor (which can include a controlleror circuit) has been described that performs Various functions. Itshould be understood that the processor can be implemented as multipleprocessors, which can include distributed processors or parallelprocessors in a single machine or multiple machines. The processor canbe used in supporting a virtual processing environment. The virtualprocessing environment may support one or more virtual machinesrepresenting computers, servers, or other computing devices. In suchvirtual machines, components such as microprocessors and storage devicesmay be virtualized or logically represented. The processor can include astate machine, an application specific integrated circuit, and/or aprogrammable gate array (PGA) including a FPGA. In one or moreembodiments, when a processor executes instructions to perform“operations”, this can include the processor performing the operationsdirectly and/or facilitating, directing, or cooperating with anotherdevice or component to perform the operations.

The Abstract is provided with the understanding that it will not be usedto interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition,in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be groupedtogether or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowedby law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by thebroadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and theirequivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoingdetailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: making a determination at auser device to transition the user device to a standby mode; sending amessage from the user device to a server of a service provider that theuser device is transitioning to the standby mode, wherein the message issent in response to the determination, and wherein the service providerprovides a streaming service to the user device; receiving, in responseto the message, a first content stream at the user device via thestreaming service; generating first content from the first contentstream to load a buffer of the user device with the first content,wherein the first content is generated as displayable on a displaydevice coupled to the user device, and wherein the buffer is configuredto inhibit disruption of playback of the first content on the displaydevice when the user device is in the standby mode; sending the firstcontent from the buffer to the display device while the user device isin the standby mode; and in response to a time in the standby modeexceeding a threshold, transmitting a second message to the server fromthe user device, wherein, in response to the transmitting of the secondmessage, receipt of the first content stream via the streaming serviceat the user device ceases.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:receiving a second content stream at the user device while making thedetermination, wherein the second content stream corresponds to atelevision channel of a plurality of television channels, and whereinsecond content generated from the second content stream is sent to thedisplay device before the making of the determination; receiving a userinput at the user device while the user device is in the standby mode;sending an activate message from the user device to the server inresponse to the user input, wherein the activate message identifies thesecond content stream; receiving the second content stream from theserver instead of the first content stream in response to the activatemessage; and sending the second content generated from the secondcontent stream from the user device to the display device.
 3. The methodof claim 1, further comprising displaying a menu to the display deviceprior to the making the determination to transition to the standby mode,wherein the making the determination to transition to the standby modeis made in response to a passage of a threshold time period withoutreceiving a user input at the user device responsive to the menu.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determination to transition to thestandby mode is made in response to a passage of a threshold time periodwithout receiving a user input at the user device, wherein the thresholdtime period starts after the playback of the first content ends.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the determination to transition to thestandby mode is made in response to a passage of a threshold time periodwithout receiving a second user input after receiving a first userinput.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the determination to transitionto the standby mode is made in response to an actuation of a switch ofthe user device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the user devicecomprises a set-top box device, a computing device, a mobilecommunications device, or a combination thereof.
 8. The method of claim1, wherein the first content stream corresponds to a banneradvertisement displayable at the display device.
 9. The method of claim1, wherein the first content stream includes targeted advertisingassociated with the user device, non-targeted advertising, or both. 10.An apparatus comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to theprocessor, the memory comprising instructions executable by theprocessor to perform operations, the operations including: sending astandby message to a server of a service provider, wherein the standbymessage indicates a start of a standby mode; receiving a content streamfrom the server in response to the standby message; processing thecontent stream to load a buffer of the memory with video content,wherein the buffer is configured to inhibit disruption of playback ofthe video content on a display device coupled to the apparatus when theapparatus is in the standby mode; and sending the video contentgenerated from the content stream from the buffer to the display devicewhile the apparatus is in the standby mode.
 11. The apparatus of claim10, wherein the operations further include: receiving a user inputduring the standby mode; and sending an activate message to the serverin response to the user input.
 12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein adetermination to transition to the standby mode is made in response to apassage of a threshold time period without receiving a second user inputafter receipt of a first user input.
 13. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the operations further include: determining that a time in thestandby mode satisfies a threshold; and sending a second message to theserver in response to the time in the standby mode satisfying thethreshold, wherein the server stops sending the content stream inresponse to the second message.
 14. The apparatus of claim 10, whereinthe video content corresponds to a particular channel of a televisionservice.
 15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the content streamincludes advertising.
 16. A computer-readable storage device storinginstructions executable by a processor of a server of a service providerto perform operations, the operations comprising: receiving a firststandby message from a media device that receives a service from theservice provider, wherein the first standby message indicates that themedia device is in a standby mode; sending a content stream to the mediadevice in response to the first standby message, wherein the mediadevice is configured to load media content of the content stream into abuffer and send the media content from the buffer to a display devicecoupled to the media device while the media device is in the standbymode, wherein the buffer is configured to inhibit disruption of playbackof video content by the display device while the media device is in thestandby mode; receiving a second standby message from the media deviceafter receipt of the first standby message; and ceasing the sending ofthe content stream to the media device responsive to the second standbymessage.
 17. The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, whereinthe operations further comprise: sending a content stream request to anadvertising server; and receiving the content stream from theadvertising server in response to the content stream request.
 18. Thecomputer-readable storage device of claim 17, wherein the content streamrequest includes user profile information that enables targetedadvertising, a location associated with the media device that enableslocal advertising, or both.
 19. The computer-readable storage device ofclaim 18, wherein the user profile information enables the advertisingserver to retrieve a user profile associated with the media device. 20.The computer-readable storage device of claim 16, wherein the operationsfurther comprise: receiving a message from the media device during thesending of the content stream, wherein the message indicates user inputreceived at the media device; and ceasing the sending of the contentstream to the media device responsive to the message.